ASD parents where do you work? does it offer flexibility?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This topic comes up every so often, and the answers are usually depressing -- either one spouse decided to leave the workforce, or one spouse has a lot of flexibility because he/she has a long, good track record at current job and so gets flexibility in return.

Why is that depressing? For some people, the ability to have a SAHP is not feasible. But everyone can develop a long, good track record. Whether or not they will get flexibility in return is probably job dependent but good people who work for years at a company have to be compensated to stay in some form or another. Once you hit that salary band ceiling, if a company wants to retain you, they have to become creative. Flexibility is an easy creative solution. And if you've been at a company for years, chances are you didn't stay there that long because it was a crappy job or a crappy company. There had to be some benefit to staying. So the employer wants to retain a good employee and the employee wants to continue with a good employer---flexible work arrangements can make that possible.

I just don't understand why an employee would expect such a benefit at the start of their career with a company. It's along the lines of the 6-8 weeks of PTO. You don't get that much time off when you join a company. It's a benefit that is earned over time.

Nowhere did I say I expected anything from anybody. That's all you.

By "depressing", I meant that for a job seeker, once you understand your need for flexibility because you have a child with an ASD, there's no way to go back in time and arrange a long tenure at a job, to put yourself in that position.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Some people haven't been with the same workplace for so long. For example, I got laid off in 2009.

[Anonymous]

I think the common theme is that families have made tremendous sacrifices to care for our ASD children. I was laid off then "hired" back as a consultant by my company. This allowed me to negotiate for part-time work, for less pay of course. I also work from home as a writer for a corporate communications department so my work tends to be something I can do from home.

I love working most days bc I have the flexibility to step out for appointments for my child. But honestly, work is the easiest part of my life these days!

Dealing with my son's needs and fighting for his rights with the school system is way more stressful. If I could afford to, despite loving my job, I would probably quit at this point bc the stress some days is overwhelming.